US4492317A - Pressurizing syringe - Google Patents

Pressurizing syringe Download PDF

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Publication number
US4492317A
US4492317A US06/409,700 US40970082A US4492317A US 4492317 A US4492317 A US 4492317A US 40970082 A US40970082 A US 40970082A US 4492317 A US4492317 A US 4492317A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
plunger
fluid
snapdome
barrel section
piston
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US06/409,700
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English (en)
Inventor
Joe F. Guess
Thomas Pearce
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Technicare Corp
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Technicare Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technicare Corp filed Critical Technicare Corp
Priority to US06/409,700 priority Critical patent/US4492317A/en
Assigned to TECHNICARE CORPORATION, A CORP. OF OHIO reassignment TECHNICARE CORPORATION, A CORP. OF OHIO ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: GUESS, JOE F., PEARCE, THOMAS
Priority to CA000434756A priority patent/CA1212449A/en
Priority to JP58150896A priority patent/JPS5955246A/ja
Priority to AU18130/83A priority patent/AU1813083A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4492317A publication Critical patent/US4492317A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/42—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient
    • A61B8/4272—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient involving the acoustic interface between the transducer and the tissue
    • A61B8/4281—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient involving the acoustic interface between the transducer and the tissue characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue

Definitions

  • This invention relates to pressurizing syringes and, in particular, to the construction and use of a syringe-type device to controllably pressurize a fluid-filled enclosure.
  • an ultrasonic transducer In ultrasound diagnostic imaging systems an ultrasonic transducer is used to scan the tissue of a patient who is being imaged.
  • the ultrasonic transducer is generally mounted in a fixture known as a scan head, and is contained in a fluid-filled chamber.
  • the acoustic fluid in the chamber has a high sonic conductivity, and is used to couple sonic energy between the transducer and the patient over a path of a desired sonic impedance.
  • a problem frequently encountered in fluid-filled scan heads is the formation of bubbles. If air bubbles are allowed to develop in the fluid, they can adhere to the surface of the transducer or mirror in the chamber, if one is used. These bubbles will interfere with the flow of ultrasonic energy, since they act as low impedance points in the acoustic fluid which tend to scatter ultrasonic energy. The formation of bubbles can thus result in the production of a distorted ultrasonic image by the system.
  • the manner in which the air bubbles can enter the chamber are many.
  • One common way for air bubbles to enter the chamber is through leaking seals during temperature cycling. If a seal in the fluid-filled chamber is not fluid-tight and the scan head is warmed, the fluid will expand, increase in pressure, and leak out through the seal. When the scan head cools, the fluid will contract, thereby producing a negative pressure in the chamber relative to atmospheric which can draw air into the chamber.
  • a scan head with a pressurized chamber is shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 352,910, filed Feb. 26, 1982 by Bayard G. Gardineer and entitled "LOW PRESSURE HEAD FLUID RESERVOIR.”
  • a scan head illustrated in this patent application contains a one-way valve in the side of the fluid-filled chamber through which the chamber can be initially filled and subsequently refilled.
  • a pressurizing syringe which is suitable for pressurizing an enclosure to a predetermined pressure level.
  • a syringe contains one or more snapdomes which "snap" at a predetermined pressure when the syringe plunger is depressed. The snapdomes thereby provide the user with both a tactile and audible signal when the syringe is delivering fluid at a desired pressure.
  • the pressurizing syringe with snapdomes is simple, inexpensive, easy to use, and a familiar looking item to medical personnel.
  • a pressurizing syringe with a pressure-sensitive snapdome is used to pressurize the fluid-filled chamber of an ultrasound scan head.
  • the syringe is first filled with acoustic fluid.
  • the needle is then inserted into a fill port of the scan head, and is seated so as to be relatively fluid-tight.
  • the plunger is then depressed until the syringe clicks.
  • the plunger pressure is maintained at approximately the click pressure until the fluid pressure within the scan head stabilizes. If desired, the syringe can be clicked several times to ensure that the proper pressure is being maintained during the stabilizing period. After the fluid pressure has stabilized, the syringe is withdrawn from the fill port and the scan head is ready for use.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a pressurizing syringe constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the pressurizing of an ultrasound scan head by a syringe with a pressure-sensitive snapdome in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 an exploded view of a pressurizing syringe constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown.
  • the hollow outer or barrel section 10 of the pressurizing syringe has an opening at the proximal end 18 to admit the plunger assembly shown at the right side of the FIGURE.
  • a hollow needle 12 is mounted at the distal end of the barrel section 10. Just above the needle 12 is an O-ring 14.
  • a needle cover 16 is used to protect the needle 12 when the pressurizing syringe is not in use.
  • a plunger 20 includes a generally pointed knob end 22. When assembled, the pointed knob is located inside a hollow snapdome enclosure 26, and is held there by an interior lip 27 of the enclosure.
  • the assembly includes a number of dimpled snapdomes, shown at 24, which are stacked in the bottom of the enclosure 26 when the pressurizing syringe is fully assembled.
  • Notches 25 are located on either side of the enclosure 26, one of which is shown in the FIGURE. The notches permit easy insertion of the stacked snapdomes into the enclosure, as well as flexing of the lip portion 27 when the knob 22 is engaged in the enclosure.
  • Another generally pointed knob 29 is located at the bottom of the enclosure 26 and is used to engage a piston 28.
  • the pressurizing syringe of FIG. 1 is seen to contain conventional parts of a hypodermic syringe, except for the snapdomes 24 and the snapdome enclosure 26.
  • the snapdomes in the enclosure in combination with the downward pressure exerted on the snapdomes by the knob 22, enable the assembled pressurizing syringe to provide fluid at a known pressure.
  • the plunger assembly With the needle cover in place and a fluid located in the barrel section 10, the plunger assembly is inserted into the barrel section 10. As the plunger 20 is depressed, the knob 22 exerts a force against the stacked snapdomes, which force is in turn transferred to the fluid.
  • the pressure inside the barrel 10, neglecting friction, is given by the ratio of the force applied to the plunger divided by the cross-sectional area of the syringe. This is approximated by the area of the piston 28, which in an actual embodiment of the present invention was measured as 0.44 square inches.
  • the force nominally exerted by each snapdome before it snapped was found to be 0.66 lb. Therefore, each snapdome should "snap" under a force of 0.66 lb. divided by 0.44 square inches, or 1.5 psi.
  • the pointed knob which concentrates the applied force over only a small area of the snapdomes, causes the snapdomes to deflect at a lower than predicted force of 1.37 psi.
  • FIG. 2 shows a scan head 30 being pressurized by a pressurizing syringe 40 in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • the scan head 30 is of the type shown and described in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 352,910, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,874.
  • the scan head 30 includes a first section 32, including an enclosed motor and drivetrain.
  • the motor and drivetrain are connected to oscillate a mirror 36, which is contained in a fluid-filled chamber 37. As the mirror 36 oscillates, it translates ultrasonic energy between an ultrasonic transducer 38 and an aperture 39 in the bottom of the transducer section 34 of the scan head.
  • a duck billed check valve 50 is shown located at the top of the transducer section 34.
  • the check valve 50 provides a fill port for the transducer section whereby acoustic fluid may be injected under pressure into the chamber 37.
  • the scan head In an actual embodiment of the scan head shown in FIG. 2, it has been found desirable to maintain the acoustic fluid pressure at around 10 psi to prevent air bubble formation in the chamber. Furthermore, it is recommended that the scan head be repressurized approximately once a week to ensure that small leaks do not lead in time to the development of negative fluid pressures.
  • the pressurizing syringe of FIG. 1 satisfies these requirements.
  • a hypodermic syringe is readily capable of delivering a pressure of 50 psi, which would rupture the seals in the scan head. But by using the pressurizing syringe with the snapdomes, the user is notified by the "snap" when the desired pressure has been reached. Moreover, the pressurizing syringe is easy to use, so that weekly repressurizations do not become overly inconvenient.
  • the user may be desirable to test the syringe so as to acquire a sense of the required plunger pressure. This may be done by leaving the needle cover on the assembled syringe and pressing the plunger. The user can then note the force being exerted when the snapdomes click at about 10 psi of pressure.
  • the pressurizing sequence may be initiated. Since the purpose of pressurizing is to keep air out of the chamber 37, it is advisable to first bleed air out of the syringe. This is done by removing the needle cover 16 and lightly pressing the plunger 20 until a small amount of fluid is emitted.
  • the needle 12 is inserted into the check valve 50.
  • the plunger is then pressed slowly to fill the inside of the valve with fluid, thereby displacing all air from the valve.
  • the syringe is pressed down firmly so as to seat the O-ring 14 at the top of the check valve 50, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the plunger is then depressed until the snapdomes click.
  • the plunger may then be released slightly to feel the return click.
  • the acoustic fluid should now be flowing through the check valve 50 and into the chamber 37.
  • the plunger pressure is maintained at approximately the click pressure for 45 to 60 seconds to allow the fluid pressure to stabilize. While the pressure is stabilizing the user may alternately press and relax the plunger slightly so as to hear the snapdome click and return click. This provides a positive indication that the syringe is maintaining the desired fluid pressure during stabilization.
  • the plunger pressure is released and the syringe is withdrawn from the check valve. Excess fluid may then be wiped from the scan head, readying it for use, and the needle cover put back in place on the syringe.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
US06/409,700 1982-08-19 1982-08-19 Pressurizing syringe Expired - Lifetime US4492317A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/409,700 US4492317A (en) 1982-08-19 1982-08-19 Pressurizing syringe
CA000434756A CA1212449A (en) 1982-08-19 1983-08-17 Pressurizing springe and method for use thereof
JP58150896A JPS5955246A (ja) 1982-08-19 1983-08-18 加圧注射器
AU18130/83A AU1813083A (en) 1982-08-19 1983-08-18 Pressurizing syringe for ultrasonic transducer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/409,700 US4492317A (en) 1982-08-19 1982-08-19 Pressurizing syringe

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4492317A true US4492317A (en) 1985-01-08

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/409,700 Expired - Lifetime US4492317A (en) 1982-08-19 1982-08-19 Pressurizing syringe

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US4492317A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5955246A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU1813083A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1212449A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4838864A (en) * 1987-11-13 1989-06-13 Mansfield Scientific, Inc. Pressure controller
EP0483238A4 (en) * 1989-07-26 1992-08-19 Boston Scientific Corporation Tip filled ultrasound catheter
US5228593A (en) * 1991-10-24 1993-07-20 Cp Packaging, Inc. Container-closure assembly
US5808203A (en) * 1997-05-12 1998-09-15 Medrad, Inc. Fluid pressure measurement devices
US6609635B1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2003-08-26 Project S.A.S. Di Massimo Menichelli & C. Device for drawing and dispensing liquid from a bottle with a cylinder and piston assembly associated with the stopper of the bottle
US20090187136A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 Eilaz Babaev Ultrasonic syringe method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3029985A (en) * 1959-02-24 1962-04-17 G & K Machine Co Inc Flow control plunger
US3253592A (en) * 1962-06-08 1966-05-31 Baxter Don Inc Plastic syringe
GB2050172A (en) * 1979-05-03 1981-01-07 Trans Med Corp Syringes
US4392589A (en) * 1980-02-11 1983-07-12 Espe Fabrik Pharmazeutischer Preparate Gmbh Multiple-tube dispenser

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3029985A (en) * 1959-02-24 1962-04-17 G & K Machine Co Inc Flow control plunger
US3253592A (en) * 1962-06-08 1966-05-31 Baxter Don Inc Plastic syringe
GB2050172A (en) * 1979-05-03 1981-01-07 Trans Med Corp Syringes
US4392589A (en) * 1980-02-11 1983-07-12 Espe Fabrik Pharmazeutischer Preparate Gmbh Multiple-tube dispenser

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4838864A (en) * 1987-11-13 1989-06-13 Mansfield Scientific, Inc. Pressure controller
EP0483238A4 (en) * 1989-07-26 1992-08-19 Boston Scientific Corporation Tip filled ultrasound catheter
US5228593A (en) * 1991-10-24 1993-07-20 Cp Packaging, Inc. Container-closure assembly
US5808203A (en) * 1997-05-12 1998-09-15 Medrad, Inc. Fluid pressure measurement devices
US6609635B1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2003-08-26 Project S.A.S. Di Massimo Menichelli & C. Device for drawing and dispensing liquid from a bottle with a cylinder and piston assembly associated with the stopper of the bottle
US20090187136A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 Eilaz Babaev Ultrasonic syringe method
US8449493B2 (en) 2008-01-18 2013-05-28 Eilaz Babaev Ultrasonic syringe method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0352987B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1991-08-13
AU1813083A (en) 1984-02-23
CA1212449A (en) 1986-10-07
JPS5955246A (ja) 1984-03-30

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